A great writer once said, “Life is one damn thing after another.” While some of life’s drudgeries are unavoidable, you can at least make them more bearable.
When it comes to the holidays this year, consider leaning on thoughtful gifts for your friends and loved ones. Whether you’re fixing broken things, cooking a tasty meal or cleaning a messy house, these tools, gadgets and goodies make life easier and dare we say it, happier.
1) Sherpa throw luxury blanket
This throw is so silky soft you’d swear it was made out of Care Bears. Rest assured: no mythical beasts were slain in the making of this blanket.
Price on Amazon: $29
2) BarkBath by BISSELL
Bathing your pet outdoors in the winter isn’t just a troublesome chore, it’s downright dangerous. Avoid the hassle and trouble of chilly winter backyard baths with BarkBath. This portable bathing machine can be used anywhere on any size dog, from small dogs over 20 pounds to gentle giants. The nozzle scrubs and sucks up dirt and grime down below their fur, giving your pupper a squeaky clean coat in no time. It’s easy to use and there’s little-to-no cleanup. Beats the heck out of messy baths in any season. Best of all, it is currently $50 off for a limited time.
Price on Amazon: $99.99 (regularly $149.99)
3) Instant Pot Duo
There’s a reason everyone and their mom is in love with the Instant Pot: it’s a kitchen miracle worker. Sure, it slow cooks like a Crock Pot, but it also whips out hearty meals in minutes. The most user-friendly pressure cooker on the market, bar none.
Price on Amazon: $82
4) Toasty USB hand warmers
Do the winter months leave your hands shivering like a toy Chihuahua? Plug these little toasties into any USB and prepare to feel your digits flood with buttery warmth.
Price on Amazon: $19
5) Aromatherapy diffuser and essential oils kit
On especially grueling days, it’s best to treat yourself to some spa quality luxury. This aromatherapy diffuser floods any room with stress melting scents that will make you forget all about Shiela from HR (she knows what she did).
Price on Amazon: $35
6) Multi-capsule espresso machine
Pod coffee is convenient and tasty, but the problem is not all pods are built the same. This espresso machine works with just about every espresso pod on the market, so you don’t have to stick to one brand.
Price on Amazon: $129
7) Bidet with self-cleaning nozzle
If you want to wipe like a fancy Lord, ditch the toilet paper and use this fancy bidet. It installs easily and works like a charm every time. Just try and go back to TP.
Price on Amazon: $34
8) The Greatest Guest Gift Basket by MOUTH
Instead of bringing wine to your next dinner party, show up with a tasty gift basket by MOUTH. This box contains a cold brew kit, candied almonds, grapefruit cocktail mixer, chocolate gingersnap cookies and lots of artisan candy and snacks. Who needs Merlot?
Price on Mouth: $79
9) Stackable mixing bowls
Nothing causes more aggravation than kitchen clutter. All eight pieces in this set stack neatly into each other, freeing up tons of cabinet real estate. This set not only includes bowls, but a colander, strainer, and a full set of measuring cups too.
Price on Amazon: $29
10) Tile Mate – Anything Finder
If you panic anytime you lose your keys, Tile will make you rest easy. Attach Tile to anything (including your keys) and track them anywhere in the world with a handy app.
Price on Amazon: $24.99
11) Life Hacks: Helpful Hints to Make Life Easier
Living life without life hacks is like playing Contra without the Konami Code. Why struggle when things could be so much easier? Learn tips to hack your existence using simple tools from around the house and office. You’re going to be a total MacGyver by the time you’re done reading this handy book.
Price on Amazon: $9
12) Acer Chromebook, 11-inch
It’s hard to choose between a laptop and a tablet, so don’t! Not only does this piece of tech fold into any position, it’s powerful enough to stream media, play games, surf the web and yes, even get work done.
Price on Amazon: $249 (regularly $299)
13) Sugru moldable glue
No need to drop serious dime hiring a handy man next time something breaks or cracks. This miracle moldable glue works in seconds to patch any cracks, holes and bonds anything together. Let it dry overnight and you’ll be treated to a durable seal that resists nearly everything.
Price on Amazon: $22
14) Bump It Off silicone cleaning tool
Bump it Off is truly an all-purpose cleaning tool. Not only can you scrub away stains on clothes before putting them in the wash, you can scrape gunk off messy pots and pans without leaving a scratch. It also works as pet groomer and exfoliating shower brush. Plus they’re so cheap, you can grab one for every room in the house. A totally utilitarian stocking stuffer.
Price on Amazon: $9.99
15) Amazon Echo
Alexa-powered Amazon Echo is like your own personal e-butler. Command Alexa to play music, stream media, answer random quandaries, dim the lights, roll up the garage door, lock the front door, command the vacuum cleaner–basically, turn any house into a smart house.
Price on Amazon: $79 (regularly $99)
16) Ziploc Space Bag
Do you hoard things like Ariel in The Little Mermaid? Clean up all that clutter, dawg! Slide piles of clothes, knick-nacks, thingamabobs, whosits and other stuff into these fancy bags and suck out the air with a vacuum until they’re pizza flat and totally storeable.
Price on Amazon: $28
17) Surge protectors with USB
No, this tool isn’t glamorous or sexy, but like a santoku knife or an old Volvo, you can rely on it day after day.
Price on Amazon: $23.99
18) Wine aerator
Red wine tastes better if you expose it to oxygen for at least half an hour. But who has the time to wait? We’re thirsty now! This wine aerator makes your wine tastes just like a glass that’s been sitting for 30 minutes, without any cumbersome waiting.
Price on Amazon: $15
19) Complete breakfast station
Making a full breakfast in the morning usually takes too much time and when you’re done, there’s a sink full of dishes to deal with. Toast bread, fry sausage and eggs and even brew coffee with this one simple tool.
Price on Amazon: $60 (regularly $79)
20) Bath bomb gift set
Make a bath an otherworldly soothing experience with the explosive fragrance of a bath bomb. This set comes with six. Use them as stocking stuffers for the whole family, give them away to that special someone or just hoard them for yourself.
Price on Amazon: $18
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